I watch every episode of Pawn Stars, but I don't regularly watch American Pickers. The difference is Pawn Stars has cool items 100% of the time (buried treasure, nuke keys, rare guns, etc), where as American Pickers is overwhelmingly stuff I'd literally throw in the trash can if I owned. There are some cool things on American Picker, like the old guy who built an underground house for all his junk, but for the most part I have no interest at all in the stuff they buy or the people they talk to.

I agree with this and also the assessment that the American Pickers guys are douchebags.

I'm sure Mike and Frank's expenses on the road are picked up by the history channel and they are probably being paid a hefty "salary" by the history channel too. They have to be followed closely by a production crew as well - at least one camera man, sound man, lighting man and a director. Maybe even a helicopter to get those overhead road shots. I don't think it's as spontaneous. as it appears Same with Pawn Stars --and Chumlee can't possibly be that dumb

I watched an episode of American Pickers last night. They were in Kansas, probably El Dorado since the old theater was named that. This show was the most extreme example of what doesn't make sense about American Pickers. The seller had tons of interesting stuff which could have been resold. He was motivated and was selling stuff pretty cheap.

So why didn't the pickers buy more stuff? They always buy maybe 4 to 8 items, and in many cases the projected profits will not cover expenses if you include a living salary for the 3 employees of the business. Last night they made money since I think they will make a good profit on the Harley, but why not buy more when they get into a profitable situation?

"OK, we bought a few things, had fun, and really like the sellers. Now let's leave this target rich environment and get on the road."

So why didn't the pickers buy more stuff? They always buy maybe 4 to 8 items, and in many cases the projected profits will not cover expenses if you include a living salary for the 3 employees of the business. Last night they made money since I think they will make a good profit on the Harley, but why not buy more when they get into a profitable situation?

They have more places to go. Why spend all your money on one stop when your next stop might have even more valuble things.

I watched an episode of American Pickers last night. They were in Kansas, probably El Dorado since the old theater was named that. This show was the most extreme example of what doesn't make sense about American Pickers. The seller had tons of interesting stuff which could have been resold. He was motivated and was selling stuff pretty cheap.

So why didn't the pickers buy more stuff? They always buy maybe 4 to 8 items, and in many cases the projected profits will not cover expenses if you include a living salary for the 3 employees of the business. Last night they made money since I think they will make a good profit on the Harley, but why not buy more when they get into a profitable situation?

"OK, we bought a few things, had fun, and really like the sellers. Now let's leave this target rich environment and get on the road."

I agree with you and others that just the few items that they pick on the show will in no way even cover their travel expenses, let alone employee salaries, building overhead, etc. - I suspect they pick a lot more than what is actually shown on the show - they only show the more unusual items (like that freaky stuffed miniature horse they picked in last night's show) and people/places.

I don't understand why you guys think Mike and Frank are douchebags. They're entertaining and trying to make a buck digging through junk. Sure they get like giddy high school chicks some times when there's a good find, but I really don't understand what would make them douches.

As for what they make, it's pure speculation. I'm sure prior to the History channel picking the show up, they made enough to get by while doing something they loved. While us on the forum will gladly drop $500 sportcoat, that $500 on one "big find" will go a long way for a couple of boys living in Iowa. So if they are able to net a few thousand a month, I'm sure they consider themselves successful enough. Plus, they are self-proclaimed cheapos, and they aren't extravagant by any means.

Now with History channel, I'm sure they are getting paid on a per-show basis. $10K per episode for the first season may be par for the course, with that doubling for the second season.

I watched an episode of American Pickers last night. They were in Kansas, probably El Dorado since the old theater was named that. This show was the most extreme example of what doesn't make sense about American Pickers. The seller had tons of interesting stuff which could have been resold. He was motivated and was selling stuff pretty cheap.

So why didn't the pickers buy more stuff? They always buy maybe 4 to 8 items, and in many cases the projected profits will not cover expenses if you include a living salary for the 3 employees of the business. Last night they made money since I think they will make a good profit on the Harley, but why not buy more when they get into a profitable situation?

"OK, we bought a few things, had fun, and really like the sellers. Now let's leave this target rich environment and get on the road."

Halfa the old dudes they pick from start gettin' pissed off at them being all excited over their prized junk collections. They duck out before they've worn out the welcome.